Dry season affecting crops, animals

This summer’s warm, dry weather is taking a toll on crops and animals alike.

Since early June, rainfall has been minimal across much of northern Michigan. The dearth of water has led to stunted row and forage crops and very likely, smaller yields this fall.

Mark Spencley

This summer’s warm, dry weather is taking a toll on crops and animals alike.
Since early June, rainfall has been minimal across much of northern Michigan. The dearth of water has led to stunted row and forage crops and very likely, smaller yields this fall.
“It has been so dry,” said Martin Nagelkirk, Michigan State University Extension educator. “Even going back to May, there just hasn’t been a lot of rain and that’s really going to affect crop yields. We’re already seeing it with wheat.”
Wheat is planted in the fall and harvest in July each year. For the most part, wheat is naturally drought-resistant, but as with any plant some water is necessary.
“Wheat is down a little bit, but I don’t think farmers will be terribly unhappy with their crop,” Nagelkirk explained. “Some of the row crops like corn and soybeans could be another story.”
Corn and soybean are hot commodities in today’s market. From food to fuel, corn and soy find their way into almost everything these days and the demand has inspired more farmers to grow the cash crops.
Parched conditions have already baked out some of the area’s corn and soybeans crop, while what plants remains are precariously clinging to life.
“Those two plants — corn and soybeans — are fairly drought-resistant, but they need a lot more rain than they have been getting,” Nagelkirk added. “We’re already projecting a 30-percent loss and that could go up.”
A shortage of corn and soy will result is a spike in prices of both commodities and ultimately higher prices in grocery stores.
“For the ones whose crops do well, that should be a lot of money,” said Nagelkirk. “I have a lot of interest in seeing what this is going to do to prices, not just commodities prices, but food prices.”
They’re less talked about, but forage crops are also suffering from the drought. Alfalfa and hay are grown extensively in northern Michigan and are used to feed livestock. During dry spells, these two crops go dormant, waiting for rain before growing again.
The animals reliant of the hay and alfalfa are also affected by the hot, dry weather.
“It’s definitely harder on the animals,” said Kacey Picquet, manager of Tromble Bay Equestrian Farms. “We have to have the animals celled up during the day with fans blowing on them to keep them cool and because it’s so dry, dust is hard on them too.”
Keeping the animals cool is one problem. Keeping them fed is another.
“The pastures and everything have dried up, so we’re feeding hay a lot earlier than normal,” she added. “We grow all of our own hay and I know that’s down this year too.”
From the barnyard to the pastures to the grocery store, the effects of this summer drought are far reaching.